Thomas Tuchel has made four changes to his Chelsea side for this evening’s Premier League clash against relegation-battlers Leeds United at Elland Road.
Victory for the Blues in West Yorkshire would put them on the cusp of a top-four finish and Champions League football for the 2022/23 campaign, the first that is expected to be overseen by new owner Todd Boehly.
Tuchel has named a strong side against Leeds – and that is despite the FA Cup final against Liverpool to come at Wembley on Saturday. Edouard Mendy starts once again in goal for Chelsea and will be hoping to keep just his third clean sheet in eight matches in the Premier League.
In defence, Tuchel has gone with a back three which consists of Trevoh Chalobah, Andreas Christensen and Real Madrid-bound Antonio Rudiger. Cesar Azpilicueta and Thiago Silva are named among the substitutes having both started Chelsea's previous outing against Wolves.
At right wing-back, Reece James keeps his place and on the opposite flank is Marcos Alonso, who retains his spot despite an on-pitch disagreement with Tuchel during the 2-2 draw at the weekend against Wolves.
Both N’Golo Kante and Jorginho were doubts ahead of the game due to injury and while the former isn't in the squad once again, the latter starts alongside Mateo Kovacic, who has become Chelsea's first-choice midfielder over the course of the season.
Romelu Lukaku, fresh off scoring twice at the weekend, keeps his place in the Chelsea attack and is supported by Christian Pulisic and Mason Mount, who returns having been an unused substitute at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Chelsea: Mendy; Chalobah, Christensen, Rudiger; James, Jorginho, Kovacic, Alonso, Pulisic, Lukaku, Mount
Chelsea substitutes : Kepa, Azpilicueta, Sarr, Silva, Barkley, Loftus-Cheek, Havertz, Werner, Ziyech:
